wn job done； her
mind wandered。 While Felix introduced Bradbury Huff； she glanced at
Ross。 Folded fortably into his seat； he appeared to be listening
intently to his advocate； the state representative。
The years had been kind to Ross。 While his dark brown hair had a touch
of gray at the sideburns； it fell over his forehead with vibrance and
class。 There was strength in his unhearded jaw； which flexed as he
listened。 The crow's feet at the corners of his eyes were etched into a
light tan that spoke of a life of sun and smiles。 He was perfectly at
ease； maddeningly confident； and devastatingly handsome。
He blinked once； turned his head； and met her gaze and； in that instant；
time stopped。 In the next； it reversed； speeding Chloe back over the
years to the first time she'd seen him。 It had been a beautiful
Thanksgiving night in New Orleans； the moment as clear to her as if it
had been yesterday。 She had been with Crystal then。 Crystal。 She still
missed her sister with the kind of pain that ate at a person from the
inside out。
Howard covered her tight fist with his hand。 〃Are you all right？〃 He
followed her line of sight。 〃You can talk with him later…〃
〃No；〃 she interrupted； 〃no need。〃 Embarrassed； she leaned toward Howard。
〃I'm sorry。 There are 。。。 memories。〃
〃There must be；〃 he noted softly。 〃And from the looks of you； they're